first vette
#1
Burning Brakes
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Location: Dutchess county New York
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first vette
Just got this one home and wanted to share. It's a good driver, not a collector.
It's a '69 and was a 350/350. Motor is not original but when I looked into the casting # 3932386 on the block and the # stamped on the
pad CE935350 it looks like a 'factory replacement' 4 bolt main 350. It has the 'camel hump' heads and a Holley carb. Close enough to
satisfy me. It got new points, cap, wires, plugs, battery, oill & filter, fresh gas etc from the previous owner before I got it so it'll fire right up and runs extremely well. Valve seals dried out but nothing major and it isn't blowing any oil once up to temp. I'll change all the fluids myself in the Spring, check the dwell & timing, etc. It does need some adjustment but right now the priorities are elsewhere because winter is here.
The paint is a respray of the original Fathom green (or close to it). There are plenty of nicks & flaws but it looks nice. Sidepipe covers are cruddy.
Interior is in good shape and very complete. The frame and birdcage are solid. The seller put it up on jackstands and I was able to crawl under it and peer into all the nooks and crannies to my heart's content. I used a small mirror and inspection camera. No evidence of water damage, rot, collision damage, etc. Solid.
I also got a removable hard top that is complete but still in primer.
Had it out yesterday for a few miles with the top down on a sunny day despite the 35 degree temp. I could feel things getting less stiff & sticky as I drove it. I topped the tank off and threw in some Sea Foam - looked brand new in there.
Some nitwit removed the wiper door, which I have along with the hardware. Wipers & headlights not working. Factory AC compressor removed.
Fan motor not working. I can feel heat from the vents so the heater core is doing something other than leaking. All gauges are fine. Radio powers on but that's about it.
And the clock it ticking along perfectly keeping accurate time. Go figure. It's a sign, obviously.
This is NY and it is snowing right now so I don't expect to get it out again until Spring. I'll use the downtime to refurb & fix the switches, vacuum lines
etc. I want to remove the door panels so I can clean & lube the locks, electric window hardware etc. This entire care needs TLC, lube and attention from somebody who can fix it not just drive it. I know these things can be a real p.i.t.a but that's why I bought the thing in the first place. Hobby.
It's a '69 and was a 350/350. Motor is not original but when I looked into the casting # 3932386 on the block and the # stamped on the
pad CE935350 it looks like a 'factory replacement' 4 bolt main 350. It has the 'camel hump' heads and a Holley carb. Close enough to
satisfy me. It got new points, cap, wires, plugs, battery, oill & filter, fresh gas etc from the previous owner before I got it so it'll fire right up and runs extremely well. Valve seals dried out but nothing major and it isn't blowing any oil once up to temp. I'll change all the fluids myself in the Spring, check the dwell & timing, etc. It does need some adjustment but right now the priorities are elsewhere because winter is here.
The paint is a respray of the original Fathom green (or close to it). There are plenty of nicks & flaws but it looks nice. Sidepipe covers are cruddy.
Interior is in good shape and very complete. The frame and birdcage are solid. The seller put it up on jackstands and I was able to crawl under it and peer into all the nooks and crannies to my heart's content. I used a small mirror and inspection camera. No evidence of water damage, rot, collision damage, etc. Solid.
I also got a removable hard top that is complete but still in primer.
Had it out yesterday for a few miles with the top down on a sunny day despite the 35 degree temp. I could feel things getting less stiff & sticky as I drove it. I topped the tank off and threw in some Sea Foam - looked brand new in there.
Some nitwit removed the wiper door, which I have along with the hardware. Wipers & headlights not working. Factory AC compressor removed.
Fan motor not working. I can feel heat from the vents so the heater core is doing something other than leaking. All gauges are fine. Radio powers on but that's about it.
And the clock it ticking along perfectly keeping accurate time. Go figure. It's a sign, obviously.
This is NY and it is snowing right now so I don't expect to get it out again until Spring. I'll use the downtime to refurb & fix the switches, vacuum lines
etc. I want to remove the door panels so I can clean & lube the locks, electric window hardware etc. This entire care needs TLC, lube and attention from somebody who can fix it not just drive it. I know these things can be a real p.i.t.a but that's why I bought the thing in the first place. Hobby.
#4
Drifting
Wow...that is an amazing starting point for your long relationship with this type of car. Funny that you seem to have a bunch of the same issues as I have in my clunker (wiper door, no fan, other little things) but mine is nowhere NEAR that nice to look at.
Congrats.
Congrats.
#5
Team Owner
Great find. My first new vette was a '69 350/350. You'l have a great time with that car.
#6
Team Owner
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Hi pf,
I agree that's a REALLY nice looking 69!!!!
What a list…. convertible, 350/350, 4-speed, a/c, side exhaust, hard-top, terrific color!!!!
I hope it gives you lot's of pleasure…..both 'tending' it and driving it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Maybe if you've been an especially good boy Santa will bring you a new set of chrome covers or a gift card to have yours replated!!!!
I agree that's a REALLY nice looking 69!!!!
What a list…. convertible, 350/350, 4-speed, a/c, side exhaust, hard-top, terrific color!!!!
I hope it gives you lot's of pleasure…..both 'tending' it and driving it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Maybe if you've been an especially good boy Santa will bring you a new set of chrome covers or a gift card to have yours replated!!!!
Last edited by Alan 71; 12-05-2016 at 09:21 AM.
#7
Burning Brakes
You have a beautiful looking car there my friend I've never really been a fan of green, however I've just become one looking at that. The white top really sets it off. And you've got the hard top too.
Good luck with it.
Regards,
Jimmy
Good luck with it.
Regards,
Jimmy
#8
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Congrats. The addition of the big block hood is a nice look too.
#13
Burning Brakes
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That is a beautiful car! Really nice inside and out! Before you see how fast it will go, check the build date on those tires-I haven't see those in a while.
#17
Burning Brakes
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Thanks !
Man, I needed this ! Thanks to everyone !!
Kenvette69 - nice car ! I was wondering what it might look like with a black roof and now I know. Curtains don't match the carpet but it looks good to me. Don't know if the roof/interior color combo was a factory option or the result of 48 years of ownership they both look great.
1969RAY - excellent catch about those tires. The spare is identical to what's on the car and it still has blue on the lettering and the little rubber nubbins. Never been used. Not sure exactly about the date code on these but the car was trailered home and the only purpose those tires serve is to keep the car off the garage floor. They aren't holding air well anyway and new tires are (relatively) cheap insurance. Springtime absolutely means a new set of BFG Radial T/As and....forgive me if this is sacrilege... but I have always wanted a set of Cragar SS rims. Never could afford them as a kid and they would have been nicer than any car I would have put them on at that time anyway. We'll see how I feel about it in a few months when winter goes away. The chrome's in good shape on the factory rims but the steel needs a cleanup.
Kenvette69 - nice car ! I was wondering what it might look like with a black roof and now I know. Curtains don't match the carpet but it looks good to me. Don't know if the roof/interior color combo was a factory option or the result of 48 years of ownership they both look great.
1969RAY - excellent catch about those tires. The spare is identical to what's on the car and it still has blue on the lettering and the little rubber nubbins. Never been used. Not sure exactly about the date code on these but the car was trailered home and the only purpose those tires serve is to keep the car off the garage floor. They aren't holding air well anyway and new tires are (relatively) cheap insurance. Springtime absolutely means a new set of BFG Radial T/As and....forgive me if this is sacrilege... but I have always wanted a set of Cragar SS rims. Never could afford them as a kid and they would have been nicer than any car I would have put them on at that time anyway. We'll see how I feel about it in a few months when winter goes away. The chrome's in good shape on the factory rims but the steel needs a cleanup.
#18
Racer
Wow what a great car! Be sure to drive it while you work on it, I wouldn't take apart more than one problem at the time else it could get into a restoration, and four years later you still aren't driving your car...
#19
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Congrats. I believe I saw your car on craigslist. What a beauty!!! Always love that color. If that car was listed with mine I would have bought it over my 68!!!! Enjoy your new love, im officially jealous!!
#20
Le Mans Master
Great looking vette and the + is that it is a 69. One of the most desirable chromies out there . It just looks like the PO was not big on the small maintenance things which will be fun for you this winter. I would take advantage of the winter to get those valve seals changed so you won't have down time in the spring.